Stay Rooted as You Climb
Timeless wisdom from an unlikely mentor: lessons in integrity, respect, and authentic success.
As you go up the rungs of your ladder of success, it’s easy to get sucked into the corporate mindset, striving to go even higher. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by new people who recognize your potential and encourage you, but it’s incredibly important to never forget your roots.
The best advice I ever received was not from my highly educated colleagues. It was grassroots advice, applicable to every aspect of life, from my blue-collar father, who never finished high school. His father died when he was young, and as the eldest son, he thought it was his responsibility to quit school and help financially support his mother and two younger brothers. His biggest regret was not having that diploma, so he educated himself with newspapers, Time and Newsweek magazines, and the evening news. Knowledge, whether from reading or life experience, was power to him.
His words of wisdom were never meant as criticism. They were thoughtful and loving guidance, gently doled out over time when he thought they were needed.
Never write anything anonymously; if you are ashamed to sign your name, it isn't worth writing.
Don't take credit for someone else's work. It's the fastest way to make an enemy, and they will never forget or forgive what you did.
A friendship, whether work or personal, built on a mutual dislike for another person will never go anywhere, so don't talk about people (in your personal life or at work) behind their backs. If you have something to say, talk it through with that person.
Ambition is good, but don’t step on people as you climb the ladder. Do it with integrity, or don't do it at all.
If you do your job well, there’s no reason to fear your boss.
If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in a management position, be respected, not feared. Don’t act as if you care about people—care. They know the difference. Don't feel you are above them. They work with you, not for you. You may have more responsibility, but you are not more important. Everyone is replaceable, including you.
Think before you speak. Once you say something, you can never truly take it back. You may be forgiven, but the words will never be forgotten.
You are the only person who can advocate for yourself, but how you approach it matters, so be diplomatic.
Become licensed or certified for anything you can, because you never know when you might need to fall back on it.
Words of wisdom shared from a place of love are invaluable nuggets to keep in your back pocket and revisit when at a crossroads, wondering whether to go right, left, forward, or back.
Were pieces of advice handed down to you from older generations? Do you rely on them? Which ones mean the most? Do you share them?
